MusicTree Fest will be taking place in Manchester, Tennessee – June 6-7, 9-10. We will be publishing interviews with the performing bands as we close in on the 3rd year of this festival. View the full line-up.

Let’s start with the basics, who are you? Where are you from? What style of music do you create?

We are Mize and the Drive, and we’re based out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The band consists of Lee Ramsey (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Ben Wencil (rhythm guitar, backup vocals), Dan Jarnagin (drums), Nathan Deese (bass), Tom Seymour (keyboards, percussion, backup vocals), Alex Stevenson (saxophone), and myself, Cody Malak (lead guitar, backup vocals). We play a fusion blend of rock, soul, jazz, and folk, centered around Lee’s lyrical ideas and songwriting.

This is MusicTree Fest’s 3rd year. Is this your first time? If yes, how did you learn about MusicTree?

This is very fortunately our 3rd year to participate in the festival, and we are more excited for this year than ever!

Was there an “ah-ha moment” in your life when you knew you would pursue music?

I think every musician has one of those moments that serves as that catalyst and driving force to pursue music, but I’ll focus on how that’s relevant to Mize today. One of the special things about being in this band is the fact that we still have the opportunity to create those “ah-ha” moments. The songwriting process can be an unbelievably frustrating time, especially when you have such a large group collaborating like we do with different approaches, influences, and insight. Definitely not an everyday occurence, but when IT happens, and we all start clicking on whatever idea it is.. it’s a beautiful thing to see that jam, lyrical idea, funky beat, or whatever all of the sudden turn into a full-blown polished Mize song. Those “ah-ha” moments have helped keep this band together for the past 5 years, and we definitely plan on recreating them as often as possible.

Who (or what) motivates and inspires your writing and playing style(s)?

We feed off of each other’s influences, and when we are truly communicating musically, it creates an energy that makes the music an awesome experience for the whole band. One of us will produce an idea that the rest of the group otherwise would not have imagined, and this leads to both personal and group creativity. There’s also those moments when we all sync up on the same emotion, lending ourselves to the purpose of the song, and finding that common resolution within the music. It’s both rewarding and inspiring.

What can we expect from your performance at MusicTree Fest 2014?

Salacious B. Crumb

Where can we connect with you online? Where can we listen or download your music?

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our official site is at www.mizeandthedrive.com. We’ve been leaking singles from our upcoming album (release date TBD) on Soundcloud.

• http://www.mizeandthedrive.com
• http://facebook.com/mizeandthedrive
• http://twitter.com/mizeandthedrive
• http://twitter.com/mizeandthedrive
• http://soundcloud.com/mizeandthedrive
• http://instagram.com/mizeandthedrive

Do you have plans for Bonnaroo this year?

Come say hey if you see us this year – Lee, Tom, and Cody will all be in attendance! You may even find us in some impromptu jams or acoustic sessions at the campgrounds.

Any closing thoughts? Shout outs?

It’s been a great experience seeing and taking part in the growth of MusicTree Festival. We’ve been amazed at the sincerity and hospitality we’ve received from Manchester and the organizers of the event. Ryan and the guys have created something special. MUSICTREE – YOU ROCK!